POST VIRAL FATIGUE -What can I do?
You feel tired, worn out, and have a residual cough and maybe some lingering mucous. The worst thing is fatigue, and you are not sleeping well and feel wiped out! Ok, here are some simple tips for you –
The first thing is to know when to switch from using Herbal formulas to treat the more acute stage of the cold or flu using the Fusion Brand Activiral formula: to more Tonic formulas that will help rebuild. This is an individual thing, as symptoms will vary from individual to individual. You are now feeling better and not home in bed etc. but still have lingering symptoms from the Cold or flu. I recommend If in doubt, look at the Fusion Allergy formula listed below until symptoms resolve, then go to the Fusion Astragalus eight.
TIPS:
- Keep on with the ginger tea and keep warm. Refer to my blog on STAY WELL THIS WINTER. Ginger has a warming effect on the whole GUT and stomach and will help the digestive process and internal circulation. Alternatively, if you feel too hot on ginger tea, you can use a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in some warm water with lime or a dash of honey before meals. Helping the stomach absorb nutrients from food is very useful in regaining energy. The stomach and the whole Gut are crucial to the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and proteins required to build an excellent Immune system.
- Not a good time to exercise vigorously. Working with Lightweights is ok. Yoga, tai chi, Qi gong, meditation or regular walking ( wearing warm clothes ) is better for rebuilding the immune system and adrenal glands. Improving blood circulation helps the body move nutrients to where they should go, but an exercise in excess will bring on fatigue – just the opposite of what you are trying to achieve!
- Sleep: you probably slept a lot if you had the flu real bad and watched a lot of TVs. Still good to get to bed early and rise early and get a good 8 hours or more. Sometimes post-viral fatigue causes sleep issues, so taking a natural sleep herbal remedy is okay if you have this issue. Health food stores are full of good formulas. Sleeping well is a significant plank in the recovery process, and lack of it will impede recovery and decrease immunity.
Good time for a tonic. Warning – If taken during the cold or flu, Tonics may increase the severity of the flu, so one needs to wait until most cold and flu symptoms abate. Your immune system and adrenals have become exhausted dealing with the virus, so therapeutic herbs need to be employed to assist the immune system. Anti-viral therapy, although not critical, still needs to be used for good Immune System Health.
There are TWO FORMULAS that one could choose at this time – Fusion Allergy Formula or Fusion Astragalus 8.
FUSION ALLERGY: is based on a 2000-year-old Chinese formula called – Xiao Chai Hu Wan. This famous formula treats various complaints such as allergic asthma, food allergies, post-viral fatigue, Hepatitis recovery, and acute gallbladder symptoms. It contains the herbs – Baical skullcap, Bupleurum, Ginger, Pinellia, Korean ginseng, Chinese licorice, and Ziziphus. Its primary use, though, is lingering post-viral symptoms, aka “I am not feeling recovered type symptoms’. This would be the formula of choice at the early stages of recovery. This formula provides mild anti-viral and anti-biotic effects, digestive tonic effects that promote good microbiome function and help reduce mucous expression in the body. This formula, by the way, is often used in pediatrics where a child is constantly getting digestive upset and coming down with colds and runny nose. Just follow the recommended high dose on the bottle for achieving sound effects.
ASTRAGALUS 8. It is an immune system booster and an adrenal medicine. It is considered one of the best examples of a modern formula that has been created to treat a wide variety of immune-based complaints. It has come to fame as being used for post-chemotherapy therapy in Cancer patients, helping them recover from fatigue. Let us look at why by looking at some of the herbs in the formula.
Astragalus is good for digestion and blood building, and stimulation of white blood cells. It is used for cough and breathing difficulties.
Ligustrum fruit boosts the immune system and improves some aspects of liver function.
Codnodopsis It is used as a digestive tonic, adrenal medicine and has some immune-enhancing properties.
Reishi mushrooms are famous for their immune-enhancing properties and are also helpful as a liver tonic.
Atractylodes strengthens the spleen and stomach and aid digestion and is seen as having tonic properties.
Siberian Ginseng is seen as a supreme adrenal gland treatment and immune system enhancer.
Schisandra is an astringent tonic benefiting the liver, lungs and adrenal glands and their functions.
Licorice Root is the quintessential adrenal gland tonic and has Anti-viral properties, suitable for post-viral cough and is a general tonic for the whole body.
This formula works by Synergy, and the combination of the Herbs is found to be more beneficial than just working with one. The Liquid dose is recommended, such as 10mls x twice a day, as liquids are more easily absorbed. Take in some warm water. If the tableted version is preferred, I suggest a minimum of 2 tablets x twice a day or more be taken. Naturally, children can take this formula, but doses must be adjusted for age. For children, it can be taken with room temperature juice such as apple or pear. I would suggest a liquid formula to be taken first, then followed up with the tableted procedure. The formula needs to be taken as long as the symptoms of fatigue persist for some that can be a few weeks or a few months.
NOTE: this formula is perhaps best taken after using the Allergy formula or where there are definite fatigue symptoms. Unless prescribed, it is best not to mix the two procedures, as the body responds better to a more straightforward approach.
Suppose you are a senior ( whatever age a senior is supposed to be ?), for example. In that case, if you are over 60 years old, this formula may be considered a great formula to take during the winter to boost the immune system. I can think of no better formula than this. Seniors, by default, have lowering immunity, and that is a fact as we age. Use in lower doses over six months every day for this purpose. It is also a good formula for younger years or children who are constantly coming down with colds or flu. You would take this formula in between episodes. Seniors may also wish to look at taking Ginger tea regularly during the winter months. Cooking with lots of garlic, chives and onions, and cruciferous vegetables also help to boost the immune system.
Disclosure: I have no shares or interest in either Fusion Health or Oriental Botanicals. I find the formulas excellently crafted, and there has been considerable research into their manufacture and formulation. This Formula Astragalus eight is often used with Cancer patients for boosting their immune system and is central to the Chinese concept of Fu Zheng Therapy ( strategies to boost the immune system )
For more information and advice on what to take for a cold or flu, please visit www.adelaidenaturopath.net.au
Free pulse diagnosis health check is available via the website
Peter Farnsworth N.D
revised 1 /10/21
